By Bobby Narang –
Northern Illinois University’s football team is set at the quarterback position.
For now.
After numerous injuries at quarterback for the last three years, the Huskies have a wealth of quality depth and experience at the key position. Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey indicated that soon-to-be sophomore Marcus Childers is slated to be the starter in Summer camp.
Childers replaced former Geneva High School star quarterback Daniel Santacaterina at nearly the midpoint of last season. Santacaterina had an up-and-down showing after taking over the starting spot once Kent Graham suffered an elbow injury in the season opener. Santacaterina helped lead the Huskies to a victory at Nebraska. He transferred to Southeast Missouri State in mid-December. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Graham, a Wheaton Warrenville South High School alum, is still sidelined by his injury, which opens the door for Childers, who was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in 2017.
“I don’t see that we have as open of a quarterback competition as obviously last year and the year before,” Carey said. “When that’s a little more settle, that’s a little easier because you’re not rotating guys in with the one, so you’ve got a group together where all 11 of them can work, minus competition battles where people beat each other out. You’ve got a chance for them to all work together.”
Childers showed poise and managed the offense well last season to lead the Huskes to a 5-3 record and a bowl game. He passed for 1,674 yards and 16 touchdowns and threw only five interceptions, while rushing for 609 yards and five touchdowns.
With all five starting offensive linemen returning, including two-time first-team all-MAC selection, left tackle, Max Scharping, the Huskies’ offense should benefit from another year of experience.
The Huskies had one of the best defenses in the country last season, by finishing first in numerous categories in the Conference. Led by defensive end Sutton Smith’s 14 sacks and 29.5 tackles for a loss, the Huskies will have six starters return on a defense that ranked 26th nationally in total defense and 32nd in scoring defense.
“We have high expectations for the defense, and they are hungry to prove they can do it again,” Carey said.
